Display apparatus



y 20, F. s. HEBDEN DISPLAY APPARATUS s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14, 1955 INVENTEDR.

cyfzvz July 20, 1937.

F. s. HEBDEN 2,087,432

DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed Nov. 14, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTQH EY July 20, 1937. HEBDEN 2,087,432

n1 SPLAY APPARATUS Fild NOV. 14, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 MENTEIH;

M fW ATTIIIENEYE Patented July 20, 1937 UNITED STATES 16 Claims.

This invention has reference to display apparatus, particularly to a device for operating moving signs, news bulletins, or the like.

Moving signs of certain types are not new. A

common structure employed comprises an endless strip of paper, or the like, arranged to run as a belt over upright pulleys, one or more of which is driven so as to cause the strip to move continuously past an opening in the casing of the device.- The pulleys may be arranged in pearance In devices of this character, economic considerations force the use of paper, or other low cost material, for belts and this is generally quite fragile. Such fragile material, when held in tension and continuously run over relatively small pulleys rapidly deteriorates and breaks. Further, in practical use the distance between pulleys, or in other words the length of visible sign, must be made relatively short, otherwise the tension required to hold the suspended length taut and upright would be greater than the tensile strength of the belt material.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a moving sign device in which the above 5 noted limitations and disadvantages are absent,

one that may be made of any desired length and height so as to be adapted for use in large store windows, on long building walls, billboards and the like, and with which paper, or other low cost material, may be successfully used.

An additional object is to provide a mechanism comprising a driven conveyor and a sign strip which rides thereon so as to expose the. text of a sign printed on the strip in a moving manner.

Another object lies in the provision of a conveyor device for operating a moving sign, and a sign strip removably riding thereon which includes means for increasing friction between 0 the sign strip and conveyor whereby the strip is caused to move in substantially perfect accompaniment with the conveyor.

A further object is to provide a conveyor with a sign strip riding thereon without geared engagement between them and means for preventing unwanted movement of the. strip with respect to the conveyor.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a mechanism embodying my invention, the same being shown without covers;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view showing the mechanism as arranged in Fig. 1 with part of the cover broken away;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevational view taken on line 33 in Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, are fragmental elevational and plan views showing details of structure to be referred to;

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevational view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified structure to be explained;

Figs. 10 and 11 are side and end elevational vi ws respectively'showing a modified structure which will be described, Fig. 11 being taken on line |ill in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing another modification of structure;

Fig. 13 is a fragmental side elevational view showing details of the arrangement in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a detail plan view taken on line i l-i l in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a plan view showing an arrangement of mechanism to be described.

Fig. 16 is an end elevational view taken from line l6l6 in Fig. 15;

Fig. 1'7 is a fragmental elevational view to be referred to; and

Figs. 18 and 19 are plan and side elevational views showing devices to be described.

In carrying out my invention I provide a conveyor mechanism, which may have any desired form or length, herein shown as including a base member ID upon which the conveyor is supported.

The conveyor mechanism consists of a belt ll reefed over end idler pulleys i2 and horizontal reverse pulleys l3 and i l. Pulleys l2 are supported by stands l5, pulley i3 is supported by stand [6 and pulley I4 is supported by a stand ll all of which stands are secured to the base Ill. The idler and reverse pulleys are so dis posed that the belt H, which in the Fig. l and 2 arrangement is flat, may be run upon them in such arrangement that the, fiat sides of its two long strands lie horizontal and parallel as shown.

The belt is driven by a motor !8 attached to base Ill, through a worm I9 meshing with a worm gear 20, which latter is affixed to the shaft of pulley l4. 7

The long strands of the. belt between pulleys l2 may be supported against sagging by any suitable means, such as rails 21 supported upon arms 23 of stands 22. V

The described arrangement provides a conveyor having two flat parallel strands running in opposite directions.

Disposed so as to ride upon the belt is a strip of material 24, such aspaper, celluloid, or the like, hereinafter called a sign strip.

The sign strip stands upright and substantially edgewise with respect to the belt as best shown in Fig. 3 and is supported in this position by means of upper and lower guide elements which are here shown as comprising the inturned V edges of cover elements 25 guiding the lower edge of the strip on theoutside and the outer edges of a plate 26, supported on stands 22, guiding the lower edge on the inside.

The top edge of the strip is guided by means of a slot formed between the downturned edges of plates 21 and 28, the edges of plate 21 guiding the strip on the outside and plate 28 guiding on the inside. The plates are supported on stands 22.

The sign strip is usually made endless and is of such length that the ends, or return bend portions, lie outwardly beyond pulleys 12 so that thestrip, at the points where it is bending for the'return run, overhangs and is not in contact with belt I l. The material of which the sign strip is made usually has sufficient stiffness to make it self supporting in the overhung portions.-

' The utilityof the arrangement just described will become apparent when it is considered that the expansion characteristics of material from which sign strips are usually made are highly responsive to atmospheric changes, chiefly temperature and humidity, and thus a strip 'of any sizable length may expand or contract anappreciable amount from day to day. J

With the arrangement shown it will be apparent that since the ends of the strip are unconfined the length of the strip may vary through a wide range without in any way affecting the relationship between the stripand conveyor. Further, when a strip is made up for placement on the conveyor it is not necessary that its length be made with extreme accuracy and this obviously facilitates the making of strips.

It may also be noted that a strip, arranged and operated as above is at all times free from tensional stress, thus permitting the use of low cost material, such as paper, for the strips.

Obviously, one of the most valuable features of a device of this kind lies in the facility and low cost involved in making frequent changes in the sign strip. Both the cost of the material of the strip itself and thelabor required to replace:

an old strip with a new one must be held at a minimum if the device is to find wide public acceptance and sale. It is to this end that the above structure and arrangement lends itself. The belt H is operated by motor l8 in the obvious manner, and the sign strip having its two long reaches resting upon the strands of the belt is carried in accompaniment with the belt.

In Fig. 2 I show a portion of cover .25 and plates 21 and 28 in position. The cover and outer plate 21 obscure all parts except a sight portion and r the message printed on the sign strip is exposed in this open portion. With the conveyor running ders it highly attractive to the eye, and the message is continuously, and endlessly exhibited.

In a sign of any considerable length, friction betweenthe guide elements and the strip is likely to be considerable. Also, a certain amount of resistance and frictional effect may be present due to static electricity often developed when paper or celluloid are used under the conditions noted.

For practical purposes, when a plain strip-of sign material is disposed with its edge resting upon a moving conveyor, there may not be suffie cient tractive effect between the strip and conveyor to overcome the guide and static resistance above noted. 7 For this reasonthe sign strip will not accompany the conveyor in. its movement in a satisfactory manner.

To provide suitable tractive effect to promote unitary movement of the conveyor and sign I utilize various means of preparing the sign strip so that it will have more positive contact with the conveyor. V

In Figs. 1 to 4 Ishowone means of accomplishing the result. Spaced along the lower edge of the strip are small wire members 29 which are formed so as to be fastened in thestrip as shown and have which lie in contact with the surface of the conveyor belt. The practical effect of this is thought obvious. The ends of the legs nestle somewhat into the belt fabric and the strip is thus urged with considerable force to accompany the belt.

It will be noted however that the legs of members 29 cannot become attached to the belt with sufficient firmness to prevent free separation'at the points where the belt departs from the strip over idlers l2, and during the turning movement of both the belt and strip, the strip is free and downwardly extending leg portions strip whereby to increase the tractive effect without altering the running conditions of the strip.

In cases where the sign strip is relatively narrow either of the foregoing methods of increasing traction may be found satisfactory. Numerous other means may be utilized without alteration of the principle involved.

with. It is desirable to use some special'means. The particular method of increasing traction. used is not important.

In cases where a relatively wide sign strip is used, when the width is so great that the material of the strip is not inherently self supporting, I may utilize stiffener strips 3|, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7. These may be made from any suitable material such as steel or bamboo. They are attached to the strip by any suitable means and are spaced as required. In the Fig. 6 arrange ment the stiffeners have pointed ends 3| and they thus serve the double purpose of stiffening iii and increasing traction. In the Fig. 7 arrangement the stiffeners are trimmed flush with the edges of the strip and members 29 are attached for traction. Other means of stiffening may obviously be used without alteration of principle.

In Fig. 9 I show an arrangement similar to Fig. 3 wherein a round conveyor belt 32 is used in place of the fiat belt ll. When using a round belt it becomes necessary to use a modified form of traction member in place of members 29. A practicable form is shown in Fig. 8 wherein a wire form 33 having a broadened base length is attached to the sign strip. The base portion rests crosswise of the belt as shown and forms a practicable means for riding a sign strip on a round belt.

The foregoing has described an arrangement of conveyor and sign generally covered in Figs. 1 and 2.

In such an arrangement the traction members 29, 3%, 3i, etc., obviously provide means whereby the sign strip is moved in substantial unity with the conveyor belt. In any non-fixed association of the strip and belt there may be a certain amount of creepagedue to various influences. This creepage may obviously be unequal as between the two long reaches of the sign and thus it would be possible for one side to gain or lose on the other. Continuation of such movement would eventually result in one return bend running up and afoul the guide elements.

To prevent such occurrence, idler pulleys 35, supported on stands 35 may be disposed within the loops of the sign strip. These, it will be noted, are so placed that the loops of the strip lie beyond and free from engagement with them so that when the strip lies in normal position the idlers have no function to perform. However, if the strip shifts its position to a sufficient extent an idler will pr vent continuance of the movement and thus prevent fouling.

In Figs. 18 and 19 I show a modification of the above described idler arrangement. In the modified arrangement idlers 3d are replaced by idlers 34 which are arranged to turn eccentrically on stands as shown. Small lugs 36 extend below the idlers and are resiliently engaged with spring members 3? attached to stands 35. The contact pressure between lugs 35 and the springs is only sufficient to prevent loose rotation of the idlers and the lugs are so disposed that engagement exists only when the idlers are disposed as shown in Fig. 19. Idlers M are so placed that the sign strip loops normally pass beyond and around them with a space between when the idlers rest with their high sides lying toward the center of the mechanism. As above noted they are lightly held in this position by the springs 3?.

When creepage and shifting of the sign strip progresses far enough to place the strip in engagement with an idler, on its low side, the idler is caused to rotate whereby the high side is placed on the opposite side of its center and the sign strip is forced backwardly to assume its normal position with respect to the belt. After the high side of the idler once passes the loop it will normally continue rotation to its original position and the strip is thereafter free as before. Thus, if the sign strip creeps regularly it will be periodically automatically readjusted.

In Figs. 10 to 12 I show still another Inodification of the mechanism. In this arrangement the mechanism is similar to those already described with the exception that a square belt 3? is used in place of the flat belt H.

As will be obvious, a square belt has the advantage that it may have a satisfactorily broad top surface upon which to support the sign strip, and at the same time it may be trained around a pulley lying in a horizontal plane. A practicable arrangement is shown. It will be noted that less mechanism is required and that the end loops of the sign strips are free to move outwardly over the surface of the belt and beyond so that the strip is free to expand or contract without alteration of the normal conditions or" operation.

The sign strip need not necessarily be made endless. Figs. 13 and 14 are fragmentary views illustrating that a relatively short strip may be used successfully. I

The outer guide elements at the top and bottom of the strip areextended around to join the long side elements 38 and 35 and thus form a .loop guide whereby the end of a sign strip ap-' proaching in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 14, is engaged by the curved guide and is diverted to follow a reverse direction whereby the free end B is returned and placed. upon the opposite belt. From then on the operation is the same as has already been described until the opposite end of the conveyor belt is reached, where a reverse turn is again made in the same manner.

In Figs. 15 and 16 I show an arrangement which permits the use of extra length of sign strip.

The mechanism is substantially the same as that already described with the exception that the conveyor belt is arranged to have four long strands instead of two and the sign strip is also arranged with four strands.

Strand. C of the belt is trained over idler pulleys Gil, corresponding to idlers l2, thence around an idler ll corresponding to idler it, over the opposite idler to the opposite end of the mechanism to form strand F which is returned as strand H to strand D, over drive pulley 52 corresponding to pulley i l, back as strand E and return to strand C through strand J. The conveyor is operated by motor &3.

Strands C, D, E and F are obviously the top or carrying strands. They move in directions indicated by arrows.

The sign strip is arranged to ride on strand C, around loop K, over strand F, around loop L over strand E, around loop M to strand D, thence around loop N to strand C.

Safety idlers 3 3 or 36' may be used if necessary.

The extra length of sign strip absorbed by the inner strands D and E obviously permits a relatively long message to be carried by the strip Without increasing the over-all length of the mechanism. The number of strands may be increased as desired.

It is to be noted that in none of the arrangements described is the sign strip placed in tension, with the exception of the small pull which might be brought about when the strip engages safety idlers 34 or 3 as described.

What I claim is:

1. A moving sign device comprising a moving conveyor with a sign strip riding edgewise thereon and means for driving the conveyor, the strip being disposed in a substantially straight line lengthwise of the conveyor with all parts of the strip moving at the same linear speed.

2. A moving sign device comprising a moving conveyor with a sign strip riding edgewise thereon, means for holding the sign strip in edgewise arrangement and means for driving the conveyor, the strip being disposed in a substantially straight line lengthwise of the conveyor with all parts. of the strip moving at the same linear speed.

3. A moving sign device comprising a moving conveyor belt, a sign strip riding edgewise thereon in accompaniment therewith, means for holding the sign strip in edgewise arrangement, and means for increasing friction between the belt and sign strip whereby the sign strip is 7 caused to accompany the belt in its movement with a minimum of slippage.

4. A device of the class described, comprising a moving belt, a sign strip riding edgewise thereon, the strip having inherent weight which causes it to rest upon the belt with frictional relation between the strip and belt, the tractive efiect thus set up urging the strip to accompany the belt in its movement, and means on the strip increasing.

7 moving conveyor belt having parallel strands running-in opposite directions, a sign strip having a portion riding edgewise on each strand of the belt in frictional contact therewith and means supporting the sign strip in edgewise position with respect to the belt.

'7. A'device of the class described comprisinga moving conveyor belt having parallel strands moving in opposite directions. sign strip riding edgewise on each of said strands in accompaniment with said belt and means supporting the sign strip in edgewise position with respect to the belt.

8. For a device of the class described, a sign strip specially prepared to be transported upon and in accompaniment with a conveyor, said strip having means adapted to increase traction between the strip and belt, whereby the strip is caused to accompany the belt with a minimum of slippage.

9. For a device of the class described, a sign strip specially prepared to be transported upon and in accompaniment with a conveyor, said strip having means attached thereto increasing traction between the strip and belt beyond that provided by the normal friction existing as a result of theinherent Weight of the strip. 7

10. A sign device having in combination a moving conveyor consisting of parallel strandsmoving in opposite directions corresponding to forward and return movement, a sign strip riding edgewise on the conveyor and means to transfer the strip from one strand to the other to cause forward and return movement of the sign strip.

11. A sign device having in combination a moving conveyor consisting of parallel strands moving in opposite directions corresponding to for ward and return movement, a sign stripriding edgewise on the conveyor means for holding the strip in edgewise arrangement and means to transfer the strip from one strand to the other to cause forward and return movement of the sign strip. a I

12. A sign device having in combination a moving conveyor consisting of parallel strands moving in opposite directions corresponding to forward and'return movement, a sign strip riding in edgewise arrangement on the conveyor, said strip being transferable from one strand of the, conveyor to the'otherto be transported by the conveyor in forwardand return directions.-

13. A sign device having in combination a moving conveyor consisting of parallel strands moving in opposite directions corresponding to forward and return movement, asign strip having portions riding in edgewise arrangement on each of said strands, and in* longitudinal alignment therewith, the strip adapted to be transported in forward and return directions in accompaniment with said strands and means automatically re-, taining the strip in predetermined position with .respect to the conveyor.

14. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a sign movable in opposite directions in' the frame" and having a portion that is visible during movement in one of said directions, a

moving conveyor, upon which the visible portion rides and means to drive the conveyor. I

15. A deviceof the class described comprising a frame, a sign movable in the frame having a visible portion, a moving conveyor upon which the visible portion rides, there being frictional contact between the sign and conveyor causing the sign to move with the conveyor.

16. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a sign strip disposed longitudinally of" the frame, a moving support for the strip between the ends of the frame, and means on the strip preventing the material of the strip from contacting said support.

' FRANK S. HEBDEN. 

